Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an immunogen derived from a protein allergen, which is a) a non-anaphylactic immunogenic recombinant fragment of the protein allergen which contains an IgG epitope partly but not wholly overlapping an IgE epitope of the protein allergen; b) a polymeric form of the fragment, in which the fragment constitutes the monomeric units; or c) a non-anaphylactic recombinant polymeric form of the protein allergen having 2–10 monomeric units, in which the protein allergen constitutes the monomeric units. The present invention is further drawn to the use of the immunogen for in vitro diagnoses of type I allergy and hyposensitization.

Abstract: An assay device for determining an analyte in an aqueous sample comprises: (i) an elongate flow matrix (6) allowing lateral transport of fluid therethrough by capillary action, wherein the matrix comprises a liquid application zone (3) and downstream thereof, a detection zone (8) having an immobilized capture agent capable of directly or indirectly binding to said analyte, (ii) a wicking member (13) placed at the downstream end of the flow matrix and having an upstream end and a downstream end, and (iii) a time indicator (14) placed downstream of the detection zone (8) for indicating when liquid applied to the liquid application zone has reached the time indicator. The time indicator comprises an indicator substance or substance combination which is capable of exhibiting a visible color change when hydrated by the aqueous sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel drug candidate having a potential for universal therapy of allergy and asthma. The invention provides a Fab (antibody fragment), having the following characteristics: a) inhibits the IgE-Fc?RI interaction; b) binds to free and cell-bound IgE; and c) is non-anaphylactic.

Abstract: The invention relates to an analytical chromatographic method which comprises the steps of: a) providing a membrane type flow matrix attached to a liquid-impervious backing, which flow matrix permits a capillary force assisted lateral fluid flow therethrough, and at least a part of which flow matrix contains ion-exchange functions; b) treating the flow matrix to reduce or eliminate unspecific adsorption properties of the flow matrix; c) applying to the flow matrix a sample containing at least two components; d) initiating a first lateral flow of aqueous fluid to transport the sample through the flow matrix and separate said components therein; e) interrupting the lateral flow; and either f1) detecting at least one of the separated components on the flow matrix in the position reached by the respective component when the flow was interrupted; or f2a) initiating a second flow of aqueous fluid to transport the components in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of the first lateral flow; f2b)

Abstract: Methods for the diagnosis of ABPA in a human individual comprise determining if the individual carries antibodies reactive with one or more ABPA-related recombinant allergens, which one or more ABPA-related recombinant allergens discriminate between ABPA and allergic sensitization to A. fumigatus. Suitable allergens include rAsp F4, rAsp F6, rAsp F8, and ABPA-related fragments thereof which bind with IgE or IgG antibody.

Abstract: A test device and a kit for conducting an assay for the determination of an analyte in a sample comprises (i) a housing (1,2), and within said housing, (ii) a flow matrix (6) allowing liquid to be transported by capillary action and having at least one zone with immobilized capturing agent capable of directly or indirectly binding to the analyte, (iii) a liquid container (13) for sample liquid, and (iv) at least one liquid container for liquid other than sample liquid. The device further comprises (v) separation means (5) between the flow matrix (6) and the liquid containers (13), wherein said separation means (5) are mounted in movable relationship with the liquid containers to in a first position prevent liquid contact of the flow matrix (6) with the liquid containers (13), and in a second position permit liquid receiving contact of the flow matrix (6) with the liquid containers (13).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining an analyte in a sample, especially a high concentration analyte, comprises the steps of: a) contacting the sample with a specified amount of a receptor which binds specifically to the analyte to form an analyte/receptor complex, said specified amount of receptor being in excess of that required to bind all analyte in the sample, b) isolating on a solid phase a specified fraction of the amount of receptor contacted with the analyte, including analyte/receptor complex and unreacted receptor, c) detecting the amount of analyte/receptor complex in said isolated specified fraction, and d) from the detected amount analyte/receptor complex, determining the concentration of analyte in the sample. The invention also relates to test kits for carrying out the method.

Abstract: Diagnostic methods comprise measuring specifically the level of at least one iso-eosinophilic cationic protein (iso-ECP) in a sample from an individual to be diagnosed, and comparing the measured level of the iso-ECP with a predetermined level of the iso-ECP. The iso-ECP is cytotoxic and the cytotoxicity of the iso-ECP is not capable of neutralization by the monoclonal antibodies EG1 and EG2. Anti-iso-ECP antibody which may be used in the diagnostic methods specifically binds to a cytotoxic isoform of ECP having an epitope which is unique for the native form of the cytotoxic iso-ECP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel allergen from timothy grass (Phleum pratense) pollen, Phl p 11 as disclosed in SEQ ID NO 1, and use thereof as a reagent and in a diagnostic kit as well as for immunotherapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hypoallergenic immunogenic molecule derived from the Phl p 6 allergen, wherein the Phl p 6 molecule has an N-terminal and/or C-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity. The invention also relates to a hypoallergenic immunogenic combination of molecules derived from the Phl p 6 allergen, comprising (i) a Phl p 6 molecule having an N-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity, and (ii) a Phl p 6 molecule having a C-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity, which two molecules together encompass the complete sequence of Phl p 6. The invention further relates to the use of the hypoallergenic immunogenic molecule or molecule mixture in hyposensitization and diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hypoallergenic immunogenic molecule derived from the Phl p 6 allergen, wherein the Phl p6 molecule has an N-terminal and/or C-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity. The invention also relates to a hypoallergenic immunogenic combination of molecules derived from the Phl p 6 allergen, comprising (i) a Phl p 6 molecule having an N-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity, and (ii) a Phl p 6 molecule having a C-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity, which two molecules together encompass the complete sequence of Phl p 6. The invention further relates to the use of the hypoallergenic immunogenic molecule or molecule mixture in hyposensitization and diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hypoallergenic immunogenic molecule derived from the Phl p 6 allergen, wherein the Phl p6 molecule has an N-terminal and/or C-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity. The invention also relates to a hypoallergenic immunogenic combination of molecules derived from the Phl p 6 allergen, comprising (i) a Phl p 6 molecule having an N-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity, and (ii) a Phl p 6 molecule having a C-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity, which two molecules together encompass the complete sequence of Phl p 6. The invention further relates to the use of the hypoallergenic immunogenic molecule or molecule mixture in hyposensitization and diagnosis.

Abstract: An improvement in assaying methods involving biospecific affinity reactions, in which there are used from 2 to 4 reactants, one of which, reactant (I), is labelled with at least one analytically indicatable atom or group and is soluble in the aqueous liquid in which the biospecific affinity reaction is carried out, the reactants forming, by means of biospecific reactions, a conjugate in which labelled reactant (I) is incorporated; and in which assaying methods the analytically indicatable atom or group is assayed in the conjugate and/or in labelled reactant (I), which is not bound to the conjugate. The conjugate that has been formed or labelled reactant (I) not bound to the conjugate is bound covalently to an insoluble carrier or to an insolubilizable carrier, which latter carrier is made insoluble after the covalent binding has been carried out, whereafter the assay of the analytically indicatable atom or group is carried out.

Abstract: A method of determining the concentration of pancreatic .alpha.-amylase and salivary .alpha.-amylase in a body fluid containing a mixture of said .alpha.-amylases. First and second samples of said body fluid are prepared, and the second samples are treated with an effective amount of an inhibitor capable of selectively inhibiting the activity of said .alpha.-amylases. The amount of total .alpha.-amylase, i.e. the sum of salivary .alpha.-amylase and pancreatic .alpha.-amylase, is then measured for said first and second samples, and the concentration of salivary and pancreatic .alpha.-amylase present in said first and second samples is determined by comparing the measured total .alpha.-amylase values with a standard. The inhibitor used has a discrimination factor--expressed as the ratio between the quantity of inhibitor necessary for reducing the activity of one of said two .alpha.-amylases by 50% and the quantity of inhibitor necessary for reducing the same activity of the other of said .alpha.

Abstract: A reagent for use in immunochemical assay methods carried out in the presence of an aqueous liquid, which reagent comprises a conjugate of one or more molecules of immunoglobulin and one or more units of an analytically indicatable group which molecules and units are bound together via bridges containing the group, --S--S--, said conjugate being soluble in said aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A method of carrying out assaying methods involving biospecific affinity reactions in which there is used a component (I), which is labelled with at least one analytically indicatable group and is soluble in the liquid in whose presence the biospecific affinity reaction is carried out, for reaction with a counterpart (II) which exhibits biospecific affinity to (I) and optionally also one or more additional counterparts exhibiting biospecific affinity to (I) and/or (II), and forming an insoluble conjugate in which the labelled component (I) is incorporated and which conjugate is separated from the liquid phase, whereafter the analytically indicatable group is assayed in the insoluble conjugate, said method being characterized in that the analytically indicatable group is bound to the component (I) with a splittable bond of covalent nature and/or one of said counterparts is bound to a carrier, which is insoluble in said liquid, with a splittable bond of covalent nature, said splittable bonds being splittable un

Abstract: A method of indicating rheumatoid factors, primarily such rheumatoid factors which belong to immunoglobulin classes other than the immunoglobulin class IgM, in an aqueous sample. The sample is reacted in the presence of the complement factor C1q in non-bound form with soluble, aggregated immunoglobulin labelled with one or more analytically indicatable atoms or groups to selectively precipitate such rheumatoid factors which, in the presence of C1q, are able to precipitate aggregated immunoglobulin, whereafter the analytically indicatable atoms or groups are indicated in the precipitation phase and/or in the solution.

Abstract: A method for the detection of antibodies immunochemically bound to the corresponding antigen fixed to a smooth surface of glass, metal, polymerfilm or the like. The surface with antigen bound antibodies is contacted with a suspension of small water-insoluble particles to which a biopolymer is directly bound, said biopolymer having the ability of binding to said antibodies, preferably at a non-antigen binding structure of the antibodies. The particles are then adsorbed only on that part of the surface where antibodies are specifically bound and the adsorbed particles forms a coating that is clearly visible by the eye.

Abstract: A method of indicating rheumatoid factors belonging to at least one of the immunoglobulin classes IgM, IgG and IgA in an aqueous sample is disclosed. According to this method any complement factor C1q present in the sample is pacified in a manner known per se, whereafter the sample is reacted with soluble, aggregated immunoglobulin labelled with one or more analytically indictable atoms or groups to form aggregates between rheumatoid factors and the aggregated, labelled immunoglobulin, said aggregate being precipitated out, whereafter the precipitate is separated and the analytically indicatable atoms or groups are indicated in the precipitation phase and/or in the solution.

Abstract: A method of qualitatively or quantitatively indicating immunoglobulin whose Fab-portion is bound to or is caused to bind to an antigen or a hapten or indicating the antigen or hapten which is bound to or caused to bind to the Fab-portion of the immunoglobulin, the immunoglobulin being labelled -- before or after binding to the antigen or hapten -- with one or more analytically indicatable atoms or groups by contact with a polypeptide labelled with the analytically indicatable atom or group or atoms or groups, wherein the immunoglobulin belongs to the IgG-class and the polypeptide is one which is obtained from microorganisms and which is able to bind itself to the Fc-portion of said immunoglobulin belonging to the IgG-class. The method utilizes an auxiliary agent for labelling immunoglobulin and a reagent for quantitatively or qualitatively indicating antigens or haptens.